Electrode assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to an electrode assembly including a thin, low thickness snap for use, for example, in a heart rate monitoring. The electrode assembly can come in the form of a kit with multiple pieces or in an assembled form. The electrode assembly includes two electrodes with respective snaps connected by a non-stretchable material portion. The electrode assembly can be easily integrated into a garment with minimal interference in the usability of the garment itself. Additionally, the present invention relates to a garment having integrated therein an electrode assembly.

This application is a continuation in part of Application No.13/832,598, filed Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,597,005.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an electrode assembly havingat least two snap portions. More particularly, embodiments of thepresent electrode assembly are particularly well suited for receiving,holding and enabling an electrical connection with male ends of atelemetric device. Examples of the present electrode assemblies areintegrated within a heart rate monitor belt or garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are heart rate monitor belts which people can wearunderneath their clothing in order to monitor their heart rate. Suchbelts are typically designed such that a telemetric transmitter isdetachably connected to a belt having two electrodes which are incontact with the user's skin in the chest region of the user's torso.The electrodes identify an electric ECG pulse caused by the heart andthen the detachable telemetric transmitter transmits data indicative ofthe user's heart beat with the use of wireless magnetic near fieldcommunication or a radio signal to a remote receiver provided with adisplay. In many instances the remote receiver is provided in the formof a wrist watch, wrist top computer or other similar display carried bya user, typically on the user's wrist.

Since various acceleration and magnetic sensors can be integrated insmall and lightweight devices, the telemetric data to be transferredmay, instead of or in addition to the heart rate, comprise a pluralityof measured variable data, such as working frequency, pedaling rate andpedaling frequency, travel speed, etc. The data to be transferred mayadditionally comprise data required for the identification of the userand/or the transmitter device.

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/808,391 filed Jun. 8, 2007 and published asUS 2007/0285868 which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety, for instance, discloses a heart rate monitor belt whichcomprises a plurality of electrodes and a detachable telemetrictransmitter.

It is preferably to have a telemetric transmitter which is detachablefrom a heart rate monitor belt for several reasons. From a consumerpoint of view, a user is typically sweating while using a heart ratemonitor belt and it is therefore advantageous to be able to separate theelectronic telemetric transmitter from the belt so that the belt can bewashed. From a manufacturing point of view, the process formanufacturing the belt is substantially different from that ofmanufacturing the transceiver and therefore it is beneficial to be ableto manufacture the components separately. Additionally, it is beneficialfor one telemetric transmitter to be interchangeable with a plurality ofbelts.

Though there are several alternative methods for detachably connecting atelemetric transmitter to a heart rate monitor belt, the industry hasalmost entirely adopted the use of a pair of standard garment snaps.These standard garment snaps typically are mounted on the material of aheart rate monitor belt and virtually their entire thickness of around 4mm protrudes from the outer surface of the belt.

Due to the existing technology and methods for detachably connectingtelemetric transmitters it has not been realistic to incorporate heartrate monitor electrodes in to typical garments. In fact, the primaryroad block to such incorporation has been the size and bulkiness of thestandard garment snaps. No clothing manufacture, nor consumer, haswanted 4 mm protrusions from their garments such as tops, shirts andsports bras.

Therefore, the garment industry has incurred a long felt need for animproved method of detachably connecting a telemetric transmitter to anarticle of clothing which does not compromise the integrity and utilityof the underlying garment. However, the telemetric transmittermanufacturing industry has already adopted certain standards whichrelate to the use of a pair of male studs on a telemetric transmitter tobe detachably snapped in to a pair of snaps on a heart rate monitorbelt. As such, it would not be economical to wholly redesign the maleportions of telemetric transmitters and the method in which they connectto an object having the necessary electrodes for measuring a user'sheart rate.

Thus, there exists a need for a snap which fulfils the requirements ofthe garment industry but which fits in at least partially with theexisting standards of the telemetric transmitter manufacturing industry.However, several critical issues arise when attempting to merelyminimize the existing standardized snap. The main issue is the integrityof the connection between the male stud and the snap. Any amount overmovement of the male stud within the snap will create electrical noisewhich makes difficult to impossible to accurately measure parameterssuch as a user's heart beat. Additionally, as a user is typicallyinvolved in strenuous activity while utilizing the product, theconnection needs to withstand, and support the telemetric transmitterduring such activity. As the depth of the snap decreases, the forcesrequired to insure a reliably stable connection significantly increase.

Further yet, users typically sweat while undergoing strenuous activitywearing the product. As a reliable electrical connection is necessarybetween the telemetric transmitter and the electrode on the user's skin,it is important to keep the connection moisture free to reduce thelikelihood of any shorts. Similarly, the problem is compounded for userswho wish to utilize a heart rate monitor under water, for example whileswimming or diving.

Therefore, there exist numerous challenges in the art to the developmentof a means of detachably connecting a telemetric transmitter to agarment having electrodes for monitoring a user's heart beat which aimsto satisfy user's need, the garment manufacturer's needs and the needsof telemetric transmitter manufactures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrodeassembly.

Electrode assemblies according to the present invention are particularlyuseful as being integrated in to garments. Electrode assembliesdescribed herein may come in a kit form with a plurality of pieces or ina single, assembled form.

According to certain embodiments, an electrode assembly includes a firstelectrode having an upper cap portion of a snap on one side, a secondelectrode having an upper cap portion of a snap on one side, and alinking member having a first base portion of a snap and a second baseportion of a snap separated by a non-stretchable material portion,wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are coupleable totheir respective first and second base portions of the linking member.

The upper cap portion and base portions form a snap. Snaps according toaspects of certain embodiments of the present invention are extremelythin compared to traditional snaps used with electrodes, for example intypical heart rate monitor belts. The thin size of the snaps lendthemselves well to integration into garments so that when the snap isnot connected, for example to a telemetric device, e.g. a heart ratemonitor device and/or an EMG muscle measurement device, the snaps do notimpact the wearability of the garment itself.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment withat least one electrode assembly integrated therewith.

Still yet, it is a further object of the present invention to provide alinking member which has at least two portions which form base portionsfor snaps and which have a higher degree of rigidity compared to anon-stretchable material portion connecting said at least two baseportions. The linking member of the present invention allows for easyand reliable integration of multiple electrodes and snaps in to agarment with consistent spacing between the snaps. Additionally, theflexible nature of the non-stretchable material portion according tocertain embodiments increases the wearability of a garment having one ormore of the electrode assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a snap integrated within agarment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows cutaway portion A-A of the integrated snap of FIG. 1 withthe material of the garment removed.

FIG. 3 shows cutaway portion B-B of the integrated snap of FIG. 1 withthe material of a garment as well as a male end of a telemetric deviceinserted in the socket region of the snap.

FIG. 4 shows a generic body of a telemetric device comprising male endsin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a garment or heart rate monitor belt havingtwo snaps in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway of a telemetric transceiver having a stud andmale end in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventioninserted within the socket region of a snap in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7A shows a stud for use in an electronic device in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B shows a first example cutaway portion of the stud of FIG. 7Awith a cavity.

FIG. 7C shows an alternative example cutaway portion of the stud of FIG.7A without a cavity.

FIG. 8 shows an electrode snap assembly in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an electrode assembly 120 in a kit embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a linking member.

FIG. 11 shows an electrode assembly 120 in an assembled embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A snap 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIG. 1. The snap is shown integrated within a material 18. Ascan be seen from the figure, the upper cap portion 12 of the snap 10 isessentially flush with the material 18, i.e. there is no significantprotrusion. Such an integrated snap design is highly desirable whentransitioning from stand alone heart rate monitor belts worn in additionto regular clothing to integrating the functionality of a heart ratemonitor in to clothing itself.

As discussed herein, a heart rate monitor belt is the combination ofelectrodes and snaps in such an arrangement that they can be used todetermine, measure and/or monitor the heart beat of an individual oranimal wearing the belt. A heart rate monitor belt may be a standalonearticle in the form of, for example, a belt having a plurality ofelectrodes connected to a pair of snaps which can be worn, for examplearound the torso of a user. Additionally, a heart rate monitor belt canbe integrated within a garment, for example a top or sports bra. Assuch, a garment having the components necessary for use in monitoringthe heart rate of a user similar to a standalone heart rate monitor beltwill likewise herein be referred to as a heart rate monitor belt.

A snap 10 in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention should be integratable within an article. Additionally, thesnap 10 should be capable of receiving, holding and enabling anelectrical connection with a male end of a telemetric device. A moredetailed description of telemetric devices follows below. The snap 10generally comprises an upper cap portion 12, a base portion 14 and aconductive wire spring 16 as can be seen in FIG. 1.

The upper cap portion 12 includes a recess forming at least a portion ofthe sides 30 of a socket region 20 of the snap. The socket region 20 isfor receiving a male end of a telemetric device. The upper cap portion12 is more clearly seen in FIG. 2. The upper cap portion 12 has a topportion 13 and recess portion, as seen in FIG. 1, as well as a flangeportion 26 as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The top portion 13 can begenerally flat and have a constant width around the recess in thecenter. In order to integrate in a flush manner with a material, theupper cap portion has a flange 26 which goes out from the top portion 13at a lower height. In the present example, the top surface of the topportion 13 of the upper cap portion 12 is the top measure of height ofthe snap.

The amount of depression of the flange 26 compared to the top portion 13can be equal to or approximately equal to the thickness of material 18which the snap is to be integrated with. Additionally, the amount ofdepression can be a standard amount which is selected in order to workbest with a wide variety of material thicknesses. However, as can beseen in FIG. 1, it is advantageous for the material 18, being affixed ontop of the flange portion 26 of the upper cap portion 12 to beessentially or substantially flush with the top portion 13 of the uppercap portion 12.

The recess in the upper cap portion 12 forms a socket region 20. Thesides 30 of the recess generally form the sides of the socket region 20.While the sides 30 of the recess can have a plurality of geometries fromgenerally vertical to something more complex, it is advantageous for theside wall geometry to be complementary to the male end of a telemetrictransmitter to be detachable connected to the snap 10. Such geometrieswill be discussed in more detail below.

The socket region is generally formed by the sides 30 of the recess ofthe upper cap portion 12 and by a bottom, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Inthe present examples, the sides 30 of the recess of the upper capportion 12 extend to the bottom of the socket region 20 and contact aportion of a base portion 14 which forms the bottom of the socket region20. However, it is possible for a portion of the base portion 14 toextend partially up the sides of the socket region 20 such that thesides of the socket region 20 are formed by a combination of a baseportion 14 and the upper cap portion 12. Additionally, the recess of theupper cap portion 12 may comprise the sides and some or all of thebottom portion of the socket region.

In accordance with the present example, the upper cap portion 12comprises an opening at the bottom of the recess. The upper cap portion12 is coupled to a separate base portion 14 which forms the bottom ofthe socket region 20. The upper cap portion 12 and the base portion 14are coupled in such a manner so that at least the interface at thebottom of the socket region 20 is water tight.

The sides 30 of the recess of the upper cap portion are additionallyshown with two openings 32. Openings 32 are arranged at a height inbetween the top portion 13 and the bottom of the socket region 20 suchthat a portion of a conductive wire spring 16 can at least partiallyextend through the opening 32. The conductive wire spring 16 is forreleasably holding the male end of a telemetric device within the socketregion of the snap. Additionally, the conductive wire spring 16 make, orat least partially makes, the electrical connection between at least oneelectrode 24 in a garment or heart rate monitor belt and the male end ofa telemetric device.

The conductive wire spring 16 is house at least partially within a gapwhich is formed between the upper cap portion 12 and the base portion14. More specifically, according to the present example, the gap isformed between the top portion 13 of the upper cap portion 12 and aportion of the base portion 14. The conductive wire spring 16, accordingto the present example, is mechanically coupled to the upper cap portion12 by a lip 34 of the upper cap portion 12. The lip 34 may be within thegap formed between the top portion 13 of the upper cap portion 12 andthe base portion 14 or the lip 34 may be located in another region ofthe snap 10. The conductive wire spring 16 may simply rest on the lip34, there may be a friction fit between the conductive wire spring 16and the lip 34 and/or other portion of the upper cap portion 12, theremay be an additional mechanical means for holding the conductive wirespring 16, there may be a separate, or additional chemical means, suchas an adhesive, for holding the conductive wire spring 16 or there maybe some combination of the above. According to certain examples, thewire spring 16 is not rigidly affixed to the upper cap portion 12 but isallowed a small degree of movement due to the mechanical fit of the lip34 arrangement.

According to certain embodiments, as can be seen for example in FIG. 8,the lip 34 which holds the wire spring 16 can be formed from the flange26 of the upper cap portion 12. One or more notches 35 can be formed,e.g. cut, out from the flange 26 and then bent back towards the socketregion 20 to form the lip 34.

An example of conductive wire springs 16 can be a wire springs with adouble ‘S’ shape. The wire spring 16 may have a diameter of between, forexample, 0.6 to 0.8 mm. Examples of suitable materials are stainlesssteels, e.g. AISI 304 or 316. Additionally, the conductive wire spring16 may be an integral component of either the upper cap portion 12 orthe base portion 14.

An example of the conductive wire spring 16 is a double ‘S’ shape whichtakes the general shape of a horseshoe. In an example in accordance withFIG. 8, the wire spring 16 can be held by three lips 34 formed fromthree corresponding notches 35 which hold the wire spring 16 on thethree sides of the horseshoe. As a result, two interior legs of thehorseshoe, i.e. one leg from each of the ‘S’'s floats free and extendsthrough the openings 32 in the side of the socket region.

The base portion 14 of the snap 10 is shown for example in FIGS. 2 and3. Generally, the base portion 14 of the snap 10 complements the uppercap portion 12. According to the present example of the figures, thebase portion 14 includes a recess at, or near the middle of the baseportion 14 which corresponds to the recess of the upper cap portion 12.The recess of the base portion 14 is wider than that of the recess ofthe upper cap portion 12 such that at least a portion of the sides 30 ofthe upper cap portion 12 fit within the recess of the base portion 14.Having this overlap of the two portions aids in assuring a water tightcoupling of the two portions at the socket region 20.

According to the present example, the bottom of the recess of the baseportion 14 forms the bottom of the socket region 20. However, asdescribed above, at least a portion of the bottom of the socket region20 may be formed by the upper cap portion 12.

A guiding stud 22 may be provided at the bottom of the socket region. Aguiding stud 22 may be added in order to increase the stability of theconnection. In the present example the guiding stud 22 is provided onthe bottom surface of the recess of the base portion 14. However, thesnap of the present example may not have a guiding pin 22 but beotherwise the same as disclosed herein.

The guiding stud 22 acts to center and stabilize the male end of atelemetric device which has a recess compatible with the geometry anddimensions of the guiding stud. In FIG. 3 a male end of a stud 38 of atelemetric device 50 is shown detachably connected to the snap 10. FIG.3 shows the cutaway section B-B from FIG. 1.

According to the present example, the guiding stud 22 is an integralportion of the base portion 14. The base portion 14 can be made of anon-conductive material such as a plastic or rubber based material. Theguiding stud can be rigid or it may have some, preferably a slight,degree of flexibility. According to certain examples, the guiding stud22 can be a separate piece which is attached or affixed to the bottom ofthe socket region. For example, the guiding stud 22 can be a stud orscrew which is attached to the bottom of a recess in a base portionduring manufacturing. Similarly, if the bottom of the socket region isformed partially or entirely by the upper cap portion 12, the guidingstud may be an integral part, or an additional piece added to the uppercap portion 12. Still yet, the guiding stud may be an integral part, oran additional piece added to a base plate or mat which covers and/orforms the bottom of the socket region. Such a base plate or mat may be,for example a sticker or a piece with an adhesive which is added to thebase portion 14 and/or the upper cap portion 12 at the bottom of thesocket region 20.

According to certain examples of the present invention the guiding stud22 can take the geometry of a standard cylinder. Additionally, it can beadvantageous for the guiding stud 22 to have a conical geometry, forexample as shown in FIG. 3. By having a conical geometry it allows for astud 38 to have a slightly off alignment when entering the socket regionand then aids in the centering and alignment of the stud 38 in to thedetachably secured position as shown in FIG. 3.

According to the present examples, the thickest portion of the snap 10is between the top portion 13 of the upper cap portion 12 and the bottomof the base portion 14 directly underneath the socket region 20. Inorder to produce a snap which has the least adverse effect on thegarment which it is being integrated within, and therefore on the userwearing the garment, it is advantageous to keep this maximum thicknessas small as possible. Currently, the standard snap thickness in theindustry is around or above 4 mm. With the design of the present snap10, the maximum thickness of the snap between the top 13 of the uppercap portion 12 and the bottom of the base portion 14 can be betweenabout or even less than 1 to 3 mm or, for example between 1.5 to 2.5 mm.According to certain examples, utilizing the present design can reducethe overall size of the snap portion within a garment by 50-70% or more.This reduction in size is almost solely responsible for the success ofintegrating heart rate monitors in to garments.

As the snap 10 is, or is to be integrated within a material 18, theoverall thickness of the snap 10 can gradually be reduced and/or taperedtowards the outer edges, as is seen in the figures. The flange 26 of theupper cap portion 12 is depressed in order to reduce the overallthickness of the snap 10 as well as to allow for better integration witha material layer 18 of a garment. Similarly, as can be seen for examplein FIG. 2, the outer portions of the base portion 14 are tapered suchthat the thickness of the base portion 14 and the snap 10 as a whole isreduced at the edges. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the base portion14 extends past the edge of the flange 26 of the upper base portion 12.This extension can help in a more seamless integration of the snap 10within a garment. However, as shown for example in FIG. 3, the baseportion 14 may have a radius substantially equal to, or even less than,that of the upper cap portion 12.

As discussed with regards to the embodiments and examples herein, boththe upper cap portion 12 and the base portion 14 are generally circularin shape. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatthe geometry of one or both of the upper cap portion 12 and the baseportion 14 can be freely selected without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

While it is advantageous to minimize the maximum thickness of the snap10, at the same time it is advantageous to maximize the depth of thesocket region of the snap 10 within the overall maximum thickness of thesnap 10. According to examples of the present invention the depth of thesocket region of the snap between the top 13 of the upper cap portion 12and the bottom of the socket region is between 1 to 2.5 mm, preferablybetween 1.5 to 2.5 mm. Similarly, according to examples of the presentinvention, the depth of the socket region of the snap is between 80 to98%, preferably between 85 to 97%, still more preferably between 90 to95% of the maximum thickness of the snap 10.

Within the socket region 20 of the snap 10, according to the presentexamples and embodiments, it is advantageous for the height of theguiding stud to be at least 0.9 mm from the base of the socket region20. However, according to certain embodiments and examples, it isadvantageous for the height of the guiding stud to be between 0.5 mm to2 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. Similarly, according toexamples of the present invention, the height of the guiding stud isbetween 20 to 80%, preferably between 30-50% of the depth of the socketregion 20.

Additionally, the conductive wire spring 16 can be one of the bulkiestitems within the snap. When the conductive wire spring 16 is at leastpartially housed within a gap created between the upper cap portion 12and the base portion 14 around the side walls 30 of the socket region20, it is advantageous to minimize the gap. According to certainembodiments and examples, it is advantageous for the maximum height ofthe gap to be between 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 to 1 mm.

Although the upper cap portion 12 and base portion 14 are describedherein as being separate portions, they may be a single integral piece.However, for manufacturing purposes it is typically advantageous for theupper cap portion 12 and base portion 14 to be separate pieces.According to an example of the present invention, the upper cap portion12 is a conductive material, e.g. a metal such as stainless steel, andthe base portion 14 is a non-conductive material, e.g. a plastic orpolymer based material. Similarly, the upper cap portion 12 can be madepartially or wholly of a non-conductive material and/or the base portion14 can be made partially or wholly of a conductive material. As such, itis significantly easier to manufacture the two pieces separately.

When separate pieces, the upper cap portion 12 and the base portion 14can be coupled in a variety of non-exclusive ways. As discussed above,if the base portion 14 has a recess which corresponds to the recess ofthe upper cap portion 12, then the upper cap portion 12 and the baseportion 14 can be coupled within the recess of the socket region by amechanical and/or a chemical/adhesive means. Additionally, as shown forexample in FIG. 2, the flange 26 of the upper cap portion 12 maycomprise one or more openings through which the upper cap portion 12 canbe coupled to the base portion 14 by a mechanical means. In the presentexample the mechanical means is a polymer rivet. However, any number ofmechanical means can be used such as, for example, metal or chemicalrivets, screws, studs, clips, etc. The mechanical means of connectionmay be present at, or towards the outer edges of the shorter of theupper cap portion 12 and/or the base portion 14. One of ordinary skillin the art will recognize countless means of attaching the two pieceswhich do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

A further example of a mechanical connection means 28 is that the baseportion 14 comprises a plurality of integral extensions 28 which alignwith the openings in the upper cap portion 12, and optionally withopenings in any electrode and/or other material between the upper capportion 12 and the base portion 14. The extensions 28 will pass throughthe openings in the flange 26 and then heat, for example in the form ofan ultrasonic or laser application, essentially melts the top portion ofthe extension such that it forms the cap seen in FIG. 2.

In order for a garment to provide the necessary data to a telemetrictransmitter, the garment should be provided with at least one, andtypically at least two electrodes 24. Several methods for attaching andintegrating an electrode 24 with a material 18 are known, for example aspresented in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/808,391 filed Jun. 8, 2007 andpublished as US 2007/0285868 which has been incorporated by reference inits entirety. Additionally, the electrode 24 should make an electricalconnection with a stud 38 of a telemetric transmitter through the snap10.

As such, as can be seen for example in FIG. 2, the material 18 as shownin FIG. 1 has been removed and it is possible to see that the electrode24, which is at least partially affixed and/or integrated within thematerial 18, is sandwiched between the flange 26 of the upper portion 12and the base portion 14. For a snap which it to be integrated within agarment a gap is left between the flange 26 of the upper cap portion 12and the outer portion of the base portion 14. According to the presentexamples, the gap should be equal to, or substantially equal to thethickness, or compressible thickness of an electrode which is to beconnected with the snap 10 and or directly to a stud 38 detachablycoupled to the snap 10. Within the gap, within another region of thesnap or as a portion of either the upper cap portion 12 or the baseportion 14, there can be a connector and/or connection region in whichan electrode can be electrically connected to the snap or a portionthereof. For example, there can be a conductive region of the upper capportion 12 which is in electrical contact with both an exposed portionof an electrode 24 as well as the conductive wire spring 16. Such aregion can be mechanically or chemically/adhesively, connected to theelectrode or the electrode may be frictionally fit against such aconductive or contact region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention a snap ismanufactured and subsequently integrated within a garment. In suchembodiments the snap may be manufactured in one or more pieces which mayor may not correspond to the discrete portions described herein.According to another embodiment, the snap is manufactured in a pluralityof pieces and is manufactured along with and integral with a garment orheart rate monitor belt.

As described herein, a garment can be any article which is wearable by ahuman or animal. Examples of garments which are particularly well suitedfor use with and incorporation with the present example are tops,shirts, sports bras, bras, undergarments, workout apparel, compressionsports t-shirts, shorts, bands and belts. With regards to the remainderof the description, heart rate monitor belts and other specialtyarticles which one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize canimplement the description of the present invention and be worn by ahuman or animal will be encapsulated in the term garment for simplicity.Furthermore, the garments discussed herein may be made of any suitablematerial including fabrics, cloths, and other such materials of naturalor synthetic origin.

A benefit to the present snap is the flush integration of a snap in to agarment such that a garment having a snap in accordance with aspects ofthe present invention has minimal if any drawback compared to a garmentnot having a snap, when no measurement is to be taken by the garment.

Examples of heart rate monitor belts using elastomere or rubberelectrodes can be found, for example, in WO 2005/032366. Furthermore,examples of textile electrodes can be found, for example, in WO2002/071935. In addition to monitoring heart rate, the embodiments andexamples herein may also be used for EMG monitoring or measurement.Examples of such measurement devices can be found, for example, in WO2004/002311 and WO 2005/032365. All of the above mentioned referencesare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

According to certain embodiments wherein the snap is an integral portionof a garment and/or the manufacture of the garment, an electrode 24 canbe sandwiched between at least the flange 26 of the upper cap portion 12and at least a portion of the base 14. Additionally, at least onematerial layer 18 can be disposed on a top portion of the electrode 24and may, or may not, extend to cover a portion of the flange 26 or eventhe top portion 13 of the upper cap portion 12. Furthermore, one or moreadditional material layers 18 may be disposed on at least a portion of abottom side of the electrode 24 and/or the bottom portion of the baseportion 14 in order to more wholly integrate the snap in to the garment.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a garment 60 which has a top material layer18 and two electrodes (not shown) which can be coupled to the back ofmaterial layer 18 or to another subsequent material layer. Eachelectrode is connected to a snap, 62A and 62B. Each of snaps 62A and 62Bare in accordance with the snaps described herein. In a typicalarrangement, the electrode attached to each snap would extend in adirection away from the other snap. As such, there will be an areabetween the two snaps which may or may not include an electrode orsimilar material.

A non-conductive, preferably water-proof material 64 can be added on topof at least a portion of one or both snaps. As shown in FIG. 6, thecovering 64 covers a substantial portion of the top portion 13 of theupper cap portion 12, as well as the entire area of the flange 26 of theupper cap portion 12 of each snap. However, the covering 64 does notextend in to or over the recess or over or within the socket area.Additionally, a covering 64 may cover anything from none or a smallportion of the top portion 13 of the upper cap portion 12 to virtuallyall of the top portion 13 of the upper cap portion 12. Furthermore, thecovering extends and covers a portion of the area disposed between thetwo snaps 62A and 62B.

An example of a telemetric device 50 which is compatible with thegarment 60 is shown in FIG. 4. The telemetric device 50 has a bodyportion 51, an aperture 53 for housing for example a battery, a surfacesurrounding the aperture 54 surrounded by an outer lip 56 and a cover55, which can be for example a flexible sticker type cover with orwithout a graphic or textual display. Additionally, the telemetricdevice has two studs 38 having an exposed male end for being detachablycoupled to the snaps 62A and 62B of garment 60.

As referenced above, it is advantageous for the side walls 30 of thesocket region 20 to correspond with the geometry of the male end of thestud 38 of a telemetric device. As can be seen, for example in FIG. 3,the bottom portion of the recess of the upper cap portion 12 is slightlybent/chamfered inwards towards the center of the socket region.Similarly, the head of the stud 38 has corresponding chamfers 40. Thechamfers 40 of the stud 38 head allow for easier guiding of the stud 38in to the socket region of the snap 10.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a stud and electrode assembly in accordancewith the present invention. An stud an electrode assembly is useful forthe simple integration of the stud and electrode in to a heart ratemonitor belt. The stud and electrode assembly comprises an electrode 24,and an integrated snap 10 having an upper cap portion 12, a conductivewire spring 16 in electrical connection with the electrode 24 and a base14. The conductive wire spring 16 can be held within the snap by, forexample, one or more lips 34 formed from corresponding notches 35 in theflange 26 of the upper cap portion 12.

The snap 10 can be arranged at any point and having any orientation withrespect to the electrode 24. Additionally, the electrode 24 may take theshape of something other than a strip, as shown in the present example.However, it can be advantageous to integrate the snap 10 at or towardsone end of a strip like electrode 24 as shown in FIG. 8.

According to the present example, the snap 10 is arranged near aterminal end of the electrode 24. The wire spring 16 is held within thesnap 10 by three lips 34. The three lips 34, and consequently the threecorresponding notches 35 are arranged in such a way that no notch openstowards the length of the strip electrode 24. This adds a degree ofrigidity and support to the assembly.

Additionally, the openings 32 in the side of the socket region 20 of thesnap 10 are arranged to be parallel with the length of the electrode 24.In other words, the openings 32 are arranged to be parallel with thesides of the electrode 24 as seen in FIG. 8. When two snap and electrodeassemblies, for example two of the assemblies shown in FIG. 8, areintegrated within a heart rate monitor belt, the snap 10 ends of theelectrodes 24 will typically be arranged close to each other and theremaining tail portions of the electrodes will extend in oppositedirections. When an electronic device is snapped in to the pair ofsnaps, the arrangement will provide stability in the direction of thearrangement, e.g. taking the orientation of FIG. 8, in the horizontaldirection (along the length of the electrode). Thus, with theorientation of the openings 32 and the wire spring 16 as shown in thefigure, the wire springs are capable of providing stability in theopposite direction, e.g. taking the orientation of FIG. 8, in thevertical direction (opposite the length of the electrode). Therefore,maximum stability can be obtained.

According to certain embodiments, when assembling the snap and electrodeassembly an upper cap portion 12 can be affixed to an electrode 24 bymeans of, for example, a conductive tape 29. The conductive tape 29 canbe seen in FIG. 8 where the notches have been formed in the flange 26.An opening corresponding to the socket region can be performed in theelectrode. The conductive tape 29, e.g. a ring of conductive tape 29,can be placed on a first surface of the electrode and then the upper capportion can be placed thereon. The conductive tape 29 can be a doublesided conductive tape, for example having carbon fiber particles andcopper plating.

The flange 26 of the upper cap portion 12 may have one or more openingspreformed therein. Similarly, the electrode 24 may have one or moreopening preformed therein which correspond to openings in the flange 26or are otherwise for allowing one or more extensions from the baseportion to pass there through. Additionally, one or more openings may beformed through the flange of the upper cap portion 12 and/or electrode24. The base portion 14 is then affixed to the assembly by extensions 28which pass through the openings in the electrode and flange 26. Theextensions 28 are then deformed, for example by means of an ultrasonic,laser or other heating means, in order to form caps and effectivelysandwich the electrode between the upper cap portion 12 and the baseportion 14.

The snap 10 of the snap and electrode assembly may be in accordance withany of the examples and embodiments of snaps described herein.

FIG. 4 shows a telemetric device 50 having two exposed male headportions of a studs 38. Typically, connection studs for telemetricdevices have been molded within a casing of the telemetric device orotherwise integrated during manufacturing in a similar process. However,several problems arise with such manufacturing techniques when thedevices are put under extreme conditions or exposed to liquid or vapor.Therefore, there is described herein a novel stud 38 for a telemetricdevice which is partially threaded and can be screwed in to an openingin a male connection end of a telemetric device. By coating at least aportion of the threads with an adhesive prior to screwing in to placethe stud 38 can be securely fastened within the opening and insure acompletely water-tight seal between the stud 38 and telemetric devicewhich is far superior to any seal which can be made using a moldingtechnique.

FIG. 7A shows an example of a stud in accordance with certainembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7B shows a cutaway section ofthe stud of 7A. The stud 38 generally comprises or consists of threesections, a male head portion, a mid-portion and an end portion.

At least a portion of the male head portion is capable of fitting withina socket region of a snap. According to preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, the male head portion of the stud 38 is configured tofit within a socket region 20 of a snap 10 as described above. As such,at least a portion of the male head portion is disposed outside of thehousing 51 of an electronic device. According to certain examples theentire head portion is located outside of the housing 51. Furthermore,according to certain examples, only the head portion is located outsideof the housing 51.

In terms of the present disclosure, the male head portion has a terminalend which is the terminal end of the stud 38. The male head portionextends between said terminal end and a second end which separates themale head portion from a mid-portion. The length of the male headportion of the stud 80 is the length between the terminal end and thesecond end.

According to certain examples, the male head portion comprises achamfered 40 terminal end which is chamfered from a maximum diameter 82of the male head portion near the terminal end. The chamfer is added toguide a wire spring snap open, for example to guide the conductive wiresprings 16 in the socket region 20 of the snap 10 open as the male headportion is inserted in to the snap. If the chamfers are too small thenthey are not efficiently capable of guising the male head portion of thestud 38 in to a snap. The amount of chamfer is the difference betweenthe maximum diameter 82 of the male head portion and the diameter 84 atthe terminal end of the stud.

Additionally, beyond the maximum diameter 82 of the male head portion,towards the mid-portion, is a concave arced recess. The concave arcedrecess can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 3. The concavearched recess is for making a stable connection with a conductive wirespring 16 of a snap 10. According to the present examples, the concavearched recess is slightly set back from the maximum diameter 82 of themale head portion. The region with the maximum diameter 82 can be flator it may be at a point or apex of a curve. As shown, for example inFIG. 3, the male head portion may include a chamfer between the maximumdiameter 82 of the male head portion and the beginning of the concavearched recess. Such a chamfer can be implemented to keep the male headportion of the stud in place until a critical pulling force is reached.The curvature of the concave arched recess can be selected to complementa desired or standard conductive wire spring 16 diameter.

Beyond the concave arched recess, towards the mid portion, is the secondend of the male head portion. The second end may be an imaginary breakbetween the male head portion and the mid-portion. However, according tocertain examples, the second end may have a diameter 96 slightly largerthan the end of the concave arched recess, and/or a shim, which can actas a stopper during the screwing process of inserting the stud 38 in toan opening of an electronic device. While in most examples the diameter96 of the shim and/or second end of the male head portion is less thanor equal to the maximum diameter 82 of the male head portion, thediameter 96 of the shim and/or second end of the male head portion maybe larger than the maximum diameter 82 of the male head portion.

The end portion 72 of the stud is opposite the male head portion. Theend portion has a terminal end which is the second terminal end of thestud, opposite the terminal end of the male head portion of the stud 38.The end portion extends a distance from the second terminal end of thestud to the mid-portion of the stud which is the length 92 of the endportion 72 of the stud 38. The division between the mid-portion of thestud and the end portion may be an imaginary break. However, thedivision between the mid-portion of the stud and the end portion may bea change in diameter and/or the break between the threaded portion andnon-threaded portion at the opposite end of the stud from the male headportion.

According to certain examples, the end portion 72 of the stud ischaracterized in that it is non-threaded. Additionally, the terminal endof the end portion 72 can be chamfered inwards from the diameter 94 ofthe end portion 72. The end portion 72 of the stud is for making anelectromechanical connection between the stud 38 and a component of theelectrical device.

In between the male head portion and the end portion 72 is themid-portion 88. According to certain examples, the mid-portion ischaracterized in that it is at least partially threaded. Additionally,according to certain examples the entire mid-portion 88 of the stud isthreaded. The threads of the mid-portion 88 are a means of securing thestud 38 in an opening of an electronics device. An example of thethreading for the mid-portion is Remform F 2.5 mm.

According to certain examples, the mid-portion 88 of the stud 38 has aconstant diameter. Additionally, according to certain examples, thediameter of the mid-portion 88 is less than the diameter 96 at thesecond end of the male head portion. Furthermore, according to certainexamples, the diameter of the mid-portion 88 is greater than thediameter 94 of the end portion 72 of the stud 38.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the male headportion has a centered cavity 42 which is open at the terminal end ofthe male head portion. An example of such a cavity 42 is shown in thecutaway FIG. 7b . The cavity 42 is for fitting over a guiding stud 22 ofa snap 10 in accordance with the disclosure above. The presence of aguiding stud 22 in a snap 10 and a corresponding cavity 42 in a malehead portion of a stud 38 allows for enhanced stability of theconnection between the stud 38 and the snap 10 allowing for asignificantly more compact snap design. While according to preferredembodiments the cavity 42 is centered on the terminal end of the malehead portion, the cavity 42 may be off center according to otherembodiments.

Additionally, the cavity can be utilized as a recess for a Torx or othertool during the screwing process during manufacturing when the stud 38is inserted in to an opening of an electronics device. As such, thecavity can have a variety of dimensions and geometries including, forexample, a cylindrical cavity, a conical cavity, a TORX PLUS, e.g. 10IP,8IP or 6IP, geometry, cubic cavity and/or similar geometry orcombination of thereof. The cavity may correspond directly to a guidingstud 22 of a snap 10 to which the stud 38 is to be inserted.Additionally, the cavity may have a different geometry which is merelycompatible with the geometry of the guiding stud 22. For example, thecavity may have a TORX PLUS IP6 geometry which has a diameter of 1.75 mmand the guiding stud may be cylindrical or conical having a maximumdiameter of 1.75 mm or slightly less.

According to certain examples, the depth 86 of the cavity 42 should beat least 0.9 mm. According to other examples, the depth can be between0.5 to 1.5 mm.

FIG. 7c shows an alternative example of a stud in accordance with thepresent invention in which the stud does not have a cavity 42.

According to one example of a stud in accordance with the presentinvention, the length 80 of the male portion of the head is 2.1 mm, themaximum width 82 of the male portion of the head is 4.1 mm, the diameter84 of the terminal end of the male head portion is 3 mm, the depth 86 ofthe cavity is 1.5 mm, the length of the mid-portion is 5 mm, the length92 of the end portion is 2 mm, the diameter 96 of the second end of themale head portion is 3.6 mm, the threading of the mid-portion is RemformF 2.5 mm and the diameter 94 of the end portion is 1.5 mm.

More generally, the length 80 of the male portion of the head can bebetween 1 to 3 mm, the maximum width 82 of the male portion of the headcan be between 3.9 to 4.3 mm, the diameter 84 of the terminal end of themale head portion can be between 2.8 to 3.6 mm, the depth 86 of thecavity can be between 0.8 to 1.5 mm, the length of the mid-portion canbe between 3 to 5 mm, the length 92 of the end portion can be between 0to 3 mm, the diameter 96 of the second end of the male head portion canbe between 3 to 4 mm and the diameter 94 of the end portion can bebetween 1 to 2 mm.

Additionally, there is disclosed herein an electronic device 50 having ahousing 51 and at least one male connection portion as shown for examplein FIG. 6. The male connection portion(s) of the electronic device 50are for detatchably connecting the electronic device 50 to a female snap10. The male connection portion(s) of the electronic device 50 comprisea stud 38 as discussed above.

As shown, for example in FIG. 6, the entire male head portion of thestud 38 according to the present example is outside the housing 51 ofthe electronics device 50. In accordance with preferred embodiments, thestud is made of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, onepurpose of the stud is to facilitate an electrical connection between aportion of a snap 10 and an electronic component 76 of an electronicsdevice 50. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognizeembodiments of a stud 38 which is only partially made of a conductivematerial which can facilitate the electrical connection disclosed hereinand as such would not depart from the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the stud 38 is threaded and is screwed in to anopening of the housing 51 of an electronic device during manufacturing.During or prior to the stud 38 being inserted and/or screwed in, atleast a portion of the threads of the mid-portion of the screw arecovered in and/or in contact with an adhesive. An example of an adhesiveis Spedcaps Orange. The adhesive not only secures the stud 38 within thehousing of the electronics device but it also helps form a water tightbarrier between the environment and the electronic component 76.

During manufacturing, an opening can be formed or manufactured in thehousing 51 and/or internal cavity of an electronics device 50. Theopening can be threaded or unthreaded. In examples where the opening isunthreaded the material can be such that a threading is formed withinthe opening while the stud 38 is being screwed and/or inserted in to theopening. Additionally, while the present description describes anopening being preformed within a housing and/or cavity of an electronicsdevice, one of ordinary skill will recognize embodiments in which a stud38 can partially or wholly create its own opening in a housing and/orcavity of an electronics device, said embodiments which would nototherwise depart from the scope of the present invention.

At or towards the end of the opening in the electronics device 66 is acomponent in which the end portion of the stud 38 is to be inelectromechanical connection. The component may be an electronicscomponent 76 of the electronics device 66. Additionally, for example inorder to account for variations in the manufacturing process, at the endor towards the end of the opening may be a spring contact 70 which thestud 38 is electromechanically connected to once screwed/inserted in tothe opening. The spring contact 70 can then be electrically connected toan electronic component 76 such as a printed circuit board. The electriccomponent 76 can be accessible by a cover 74 on top of the electronicsdevice 66.

Additionally, the housing 51 of the electronics device 50 may include aprotrusion 68 at the male connection portion. The male head portion ofthe stud 38 may be partially or entirely outside of the housing andprotrusion 68 of the electronics device 50. The protrusion 68 can extendfrom the second end of the male head portion of the stud, e.g. the shim,at least partially along the mid-portion of the stud 38. The protrusion68 may extend, for example, between 0 to 2 mm from the base of theelectronics device. Additionally, the protrusion 68 may have a diametergreater than the maximum diameter 82 of the male head portion of thestud.

According to an example of a system having an electronics device 50 andat least one snap 10 in accordance with the present description, thesnap 10 can have a sealer 64, for example as shown in FIG. 5. The sealercan be set back from the socket region 20 by a predetermined amount.Similarly, the protrusion 68 of the male connection portion can bedesigned to fit snuggly within the gap left by the sealer 64, as shownfor example in FIG. 6. As such, the outer diameter of the protrusion 68is substantially equal to, or slightly smaller than, the opening in thesealer 64. Similarly, the length of the protrusion 68 can besubstantially equal to or slightly more or less than the thickness ofthe sealer 64.

Described herein, the electronic device 50 can be a telemetrictransmitter and/or telemetric transceiver. Examples of telemetrictransmitters and transceivers modules used with heart rate monitor beltsto transmit information relating to the heart beat of a user to a remotereceiver. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize countlesselectronic devices and telemetric devices which can be used within thescope of the present invention. Such electronic devices may or may notcomprise a display and may or may not be capable of wirelesslytransmitting information. Additionally, they may be capable of sending awide variety of data not limited to heart rate to a remote receiver.

Furthermore, disclosed herein is a system comprising one or more snaps10 as described herein in combination with an electronic device havingone or more studs 38 as described herein. Such a system can take theform of, for example, a heart rate monitor belt and a telemetric devicefor transmitting heart rate data from the heart rate monitor belt.

As discussed above, the snaps as described herein are particularly wellsuited for integration in to garments. However, the spacing between thesnaps when integrated in to a garment should be within a small toleranceof the spacing of the telemetric device. While current manufacturers ofheart rate monitor belts have the equipment and experience to achievethis degree of installation, the garment industry en mass does not.Therefore, there is provided herein an electrode assembly 120 as shownin FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of an example electrode assembly 120. Theelectrode assembly can be delivered to a user in one or more pieces. Forexample, the electrode assembly may be distributed in a single assembledform, as shown for example in FIG. 11. The electrode assembly may alsocome in one or more pieces, for example with two electrode 24 and uppercap portion 12 sub assemblies as shown in FIG. 8 and a linking member110 as shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, other sub assemblies can befashioned from the parts disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 shows the exemplary portions of an electrode assembly 120including a first electrode 24 having an upper cap portion 12, a secondelectrode 24 having an upper cap portion 12, a first base portion 14 ofa snap, a second base portion of a snap 14 and a non-stretchablematerial portion 102. Typically the two base portions 14 and thenon-stretchable material portion 102 are preformed in a single linkingmember 110 as shown in FIG. 10. The upper cap portion 12, electrode 24and base portion 14 can be according to any of the examples andembodiments described above. Furthermore, the electrodes 24 can beelectrode strips, of varying lengths and dimensions, as shown in FIGS.8, 9 and 11.

FIG. 10 shows an example linking member 110. In one embodiment the baseportions 14 are formed of a first material with a rigidity high enoughto properly function as the base of a snap, such as a rigid plastic. Inorder to enhance the wearability of garments having an electrodeassembly integrated therein, the rigid base portions are connected by anon-stretchable material portion 102 which has a rigidity less than thatof the base portions 14. The non-stretchable material portion 102 shouldbe non-stretchable so that in an undeformed state the spacing betweenthe base portions 14 is unchangeable. However, when a garment is beingworn without a telemetric device 50 attached to the snaps then it helpsthe wearability of the garment for the connecting portion between thesnaps to be able to bend.

As is shown in FIG. 10, the linking member 110 has three rigiditysections, I, II and III. Sections I are III are typically the same, butmirrored construction and have the same rigidity. These sections,typically at least mostly the base portion 14, are as described abovewith regards to base portion 14. According to certain examples, thesections I and II, and/or base portions 14, are essentially rigid. Themiddle section 102, according to certain examples, is essentiallyflexible. As such, according to certain examples the first and secondbase portions have a first rigidity and the non-stretchable materialportion has a second rigidity lower than the first rigidity.

According to certain embodiments, the base portions 14 are madeseparately and then combined with the non-stretchable material portion102. In some examples, the base portions 14 are made of a first materialand the non-stretchable material portions 102 are made of a secondmaterial. The base portions 14 may be premade and then heat molded withthe second material to form the linking member 110. The base portion 14may have one or more portions of its perimeter geometry 104 a-c whichare complemented by one or more portions of the perimeter geometry 106a-c of the non-stretchable material portion 102. These complementaryperimeter geometry portions can help with the chemimechanical bonding inthe heat molding. These complementary perimeter geometry portions mayalso be sufficient to provide a mechanical coupling between the baseportions 14 and the non-stretchable material portion 102 on their own.Adhesives or other coupling methods may also be employed. Examples ofthe non-stretchable material are flexible polymers and plastics as wellas non-stretchable technical fabrics.

The linking member 110 can an integral member. The linking member 110can be formed of a single material. When the linking member 110 isformed of a single material, the material forming the base portions andsections I and III should be of a sufficient rigidity to act as the baseportion of the snap. In order to make the non-stretchable materialportion flexible, or more flexible, regardless of the composition of thelinking member 110, the non-stretchable material portion can havestructural elements which reduce its rigidity compared to the first andsecond base portions. Examples of such structural elements are: slits,gaps in the material, valleys in the material, holes in the material andareas with material of less thickness than other areas.

As described above, the electrode assembly 120 can be a kit and at leastone of the following pieces may not be coupled to its respectiveportion: the first electrode, the upper cap portion of the firstelectrode, the second electrode, the upper cap portion of the secondelectrode and the linking member. The base portions may also comeseparate from the linking member, particularly in embodiments where thebase portions are merely mechanically coupled to the non-stretchablematerial portion. As such, first electrode 24 and the second electrode24 can be coupled or coupleable to their respective first and secondbase portions 14 of the linking member 102.

Additionally, the upper cap portions 12 can be located, coupled,coupleable and/or affixed to one side of the electrode 24. Where eachupper cap portion 12 has a flange 26 then each flange can comprise aplurality of openings for securing the upper cap portion to therespective electrode and base portion. Each electrode can then have acomplementary set of openings and each base portion can have acomplementary set of extensions for fitting through the openings in theupper cap portions and the respective electrodes for securing theassembly.

FIG. 11 shows an example of an electrode assembly which is a singleunit, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode arecoupled to their respective first and second base portions of thelinking member. While the electrode assembly is shown in the figures inan embodiment with only two snap portions, electrode assemblies maycomprise one or more further snap portions. Similarly, the linkingmember 110 may have one or more further base portions. An electrodeassembly with more than two snap portions may have a single linkingmember 110 containing all of the base portions. An electrode assemblywith more than two snap portions may have multiple linking members 110with equal or different numbers of base portions. Furthermore, anelectrode assembly with more than two snap portions may have a singlelinking member with the construction similar to that shown in the figurealong with additional base portions 14 attached to electrodes 24 and notattached directly to any particular linking member.

Any of the electrode assemblies 120 discussed above can easily beintegrated in to a garment. Electrode assemblies can be integrated in toa garment, for example, by being sewn onto or between a layer ofmaterial. Other methods of integration including lamination, beingactually built in to the garment or having the material wholly orpartially manufactured around the assembly are possible.

When integrated in to a garment, at least a portion of both the firstand second electrodes can be arranged such that they are capable ofbeing in direct contact with the skin of a user during normal use of thegarment, e.g. on the inside of a garment. Additionally, when integratedin to a garment, at least a portion of each of the upper cap portionscan be directly accessible on a side of the garment to be worn away fromthe wearer such that the snaps are accessible when the garment is beingworn. An example of which is shown in FIG. 5. Similar to FIG. 5, thegarment may further include a sealer 64.

Electrode strips may also have longer conductive path sections. Forexample, the electrodes 24 can have a first portion which is to bearranged such that it will be against the skin of a wearer and a secondportion which is a conductive path portion which is to be isolated fromthe skin. The electrode 24, or only a portion thereof such as theconductive portion, can be made with a conductive textile material inplace of a standard conductive elatomer. These types of constructionscan enable longer paths for lower voltage EMG signals.

A garment is essentially anything that can be worn. Examples of suchgarments are sports shirt, sports bra, technical shirt, underwear,compression garment, heart rate monitor belt, elastic band and athleticpants. The electrode assemblies can be integrated in any portion of thegarments. For example, in sports bras the electrode assembly can belocated essentially in the middle of the sports bra and can be easilyused with a telemetric device for monitoring heart rate information.Another example is in shirts, one electrode assembly can be located nearthe chest of the garment for monitoring heart rate information and oneor more additional electrode assemblies can be located on or near thearms for muscle measurement, e.g. EMG. Similarly, a pair of pants orshorts can have multiple electrode assemblies integrated in areas aroundmuscle groups to be monitored.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosedare not limited to the particular structures, process steps, ormaterials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof aswould be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. Itshould also be understood that terminology employed herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearancesof the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the presentinvention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for thevarious components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments,examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de factoequivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate andautonomous representations of the present invention.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of thepresent invention in one or more particular applications, it will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be madewithout the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing fromthe principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is notintended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims setforth below.

-   10—snap-   12—upper cap portion-   13—top portion of the upper cap portion-   14—base portion-   16—conductive wire spring-   18—material-   20—socket region-   22—guiding pin-   24—electrode-   26—flange of upper cap portion-   28—mechanical connection means-   29—conductive tape-   30—sides of the socket region-   32—opening in side of the socket region-   34—lip of the upper cap portion-   35—notch in flange-   36—chamfered region of the upper cap portion-   38—stud-   40—chamfered portion of the pin-   42—recess of pin-   50—telemetric device-   51—body portion of the telemetric device-   53—aperture of the telemetric device-   54—surface surrounding the aperture-   55—sticker cover of the telemetric device-   56—lip of the telemetric device-   60—garment-   62A—first snap-   62B—second snap-   64—sealer-   68—protrusion-   69—sealing ring-   70—spring contact to PCB-   72—non-threaded pin end-   74—cover-   76—printed circuit board-   80—length of the male head portion of the pin-   82—maximum diameter of the male head portion of the pin-   84—width of the chamfered edge of the head of the pin-   86—depth of the recess of the head of the pin-   88—threaded portion of the pin-   90—adhesive-   92—length of the non-threaded pin end-   94—width of the non-threaded pin end-   96—width of contact portion of the head of the pin-   102—non-stretchable material portion-   104 a-c —portions of the perimeter geometry of the base portion 14-   106 a-6—portions of the perimeter geometry of the non-stretchable    material portion 102 which are complementary to the portions of the    perimeter geometry 104 a-c of the base portion-   108—lip of the non-stretchable material portion for receiving an    electrode 24-   110—linking member-   I, II & III—different rigidity zones of the linking member 110-   120—electrode assembly

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electrode assembly comprising; a firstelectrode having an upper cap portion of a first snap on one side, asecond electrode having an upper cap portion of a second snap on oneside, said upper cap portions each having a respective recess forming atleast a portion of a side wall of a socket region of each snap forreceiving a male end of a telemetric device and comprising an outerflange region which at least partially surrounds the recess, a linkingmember having a first base portion of the first snap and a second baseportion of the second snap separated by a non-stretchable materialportion, said first and second electrodes being coupleable to thelinking member by the respective first and second base portions, whereinfor each electrode, the outer flange region of the upper cap portion isdepressed towards said base portion to reduce a thickness of the snapand to integrate said snap in a garment with a top surface of said uppercap portion flush with a material layer of said garment disposed on topof the electrode.
 2. The electrode assembly according to claim 1,wherein the upper cap portions further each comprise a conductive wirespring mechanically affixed to the upper cap portion.
 3. The electrodeassembly according to claim 2, wherein the upper cap portions furthereach comprise at least one lip which mechanically couples the conductivewire spring to its respective upper cap portion.
 4. The electrodeassembly according to claim 2, wherein the upper cap portions furthereach comprise at least one lip which mechanically couples the conductivewire spring to its respective upper cap portion and said at least onelip is a tab cut from the outer flange region of said upper cap portionand is bent towards the recess.
 5. The electrode assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the non-stretchable material portion is flexible. 6.The electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond base portions are rigid.
 7. The electrode assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the first and second base portions have a firstrigidity and wherein the non-stretchable material portion has a secondrigidity lower than the first rigidity.
 8. The electrode assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the first base portion, second baseportion and the non-stretchable material portion are made of the samematerial.
 9. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein thefirst base portion; and second base portion are made of a first materialand the non-stretchable material portion is made of a second materialhaving a lower rigidity than that of the first material.
 10. Theelectrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein non-stretchablematerial portion has structural elements which reduce its rigiditycompared to the first and second base portions.
 11. The electrodeassembly according to claim 10, wherein said structural elements areselected from the group of: slits, gaps in the material, valleys in thematerial, holes in the material, and areas with material of lessthickness than other areas.
 12. The electrode assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the first base portion, second base portion and thenon-stretchable material portion form an integral member.
 13. Theelectrode assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein thefirst base portion and the second base portion are mechanically orchemi-mechanically bonded to the non-stretchable material portion. 14.The electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein each outer flangeregion of said upper cap portion comprises a plurality of openings forsecuring the upper cap portion to the respective electrode and baseportion of said linking member, each electrode has a complementary setof openings, and each base portion has a complementary set of extensionsfor fitting through the openings in the upper cap portions and therespective electrodes for securing the assembly.
 15. The electrodeassembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is asingle unit, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrodeare coupled to their respective first and second base portions of thelinking member.
 16. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe electrode assembly is a kit and at least one of the following piecesis not coupled to its respective portion: the first electrode, the uppercap portion of the first electrode, the second electrode, the upper capportion of the second electrode and the linking member.
 17. A garmenthaving integrated therein an electrode assembly comprising; a firstelectrode having an upper cap portion of a first snap on one side, asecond electrode having an upper cap portion of a second snap on oneside, and a linking member having a first base portion of said firstsnap and a second base portion of said second snap separated by anon-stretchable material portion, said first and second electrodes beingcoupleable to the linking member by respective first and second baseportions, wherein for each electrode, said upper cap portions having arecess forming a socket region of the respective snap and comprising anouter flange region which at least partially surrounds the recess, saidouter flange region being depressed towards said base portion to reducea thickness of the snap and to integrate said snap in said garmenthaving a top surface of said upper cap portion flush with a materiallayer of said garment disposed on top of each electrode.